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Top Tips for First Time River Cruisers

One of the UK's leading cruise experts offers guidance to those taking to the world's beautiful rivers for the first time.

When I tell friends that I love river cruising they look shocked. “But that’s just for old people?” is the inevitable response.

How wrong can they be? In fact, I’m bang on-trend, up there with a growing number of people discovering that river cruising is a fabulous holiday for all ages.

New river ships are like boutique hotels, with stylish décor, suites with balconies, a choice of places to eat, even swimming pools and cinemas, but instead of checking in and out, you unpack once and your hotel travels with you.

I have visited majestic European cities, admired grand medieval and neo-classical architecture, hiked and cycled along tow-paths; in Asia I’ve seen exotic floating markets, ridden in tuk-tuks, and been blessed by Buddhist monks.

And between all that I have lazed on the sun deck – a glass of something red in hand – admiring the views as we sailed from one highlight to another.

Tempted to take the plunge? Here are 15 things first-time river cruisers need to know:

1. With flights, overseas transfers, all food on-board, daily excursions and tips included in the price on Emerald Waterways’ cruises, not to mention wine, beer or soft drinks with lunch and dinner, you can relax and enjoy your holiday without fear of busting the budget.

2. Don’t leave your wallet at home! Tempting I know with so much included, but you’d miss out on coffee and Sachertorte at Vienna’s Sacher Hotel. Think the Ritz only more refined and so popular there are queues to get in.

3. Pick Emerald Waterways’ Sensations of Southern France cruise on the Rhône and treat yourself to lunch or dinner at one of bouchon restaurants in Lyon. They serve traditional Lyonnaise dishes in informal surrounds at good-value prices.

Enjoy traditional French Food in Lyon

4. I’m a single traveller most of the time. That’s brave, I’m told. No it isn’t. At least not on a river cruise. An Emerald Waterways Star-Ship holds up to 182 passengers (and some have single cabins). It’s very intimate and so easy to make friends.

5. Social butterflies are welcome! Open-seating dining allows you to dine with different people at mealtimes. With the day’s activities to talk about and unlimited free drinks with lunch and dinner, the conversation is soon flowing.

6. The Rhine is a favourite with first-timers but why not dare to be different? The Danube’s Wachau Valley is prettier than the Rhine Gorge and while it doesn’t have so many castles you also visit Vienna and Budapest, which just happen to be two of my favourite cities.

7. Voyage along the lower Danube from Budapest to Giurgiu in Romania to learn about life behind the Iron Curtain. You’ll visit the ornate palace in Bucharest that communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu built but never lived in as he and his wife were executed on Christmas Day 1989 for crimes against the state.

8. You don’t have to fly. Choose an Emerald Waterways cruise on the Rhine in Holland, Belgium and to Basel in Switzerland, and on the Rhône in France, and you can travel on the Eurostar train from London and enjoy the views as you go.

Amazing river views all day long

9. Unlike sea days on the oceans, on a river cruise you always have a view as you sail. It’s time to relax – but not for too long as you won’t want to miss the on-board activities: Wine lectures, cookery demonstrations, and yoga and tile-painting lessons on the Douro in Portugal. All at no charge.

10. Low bridges on the Main, Main-Danube Canal and Rhône in France mean sun decks have to be closed for long periods. You can still enjoy the views from the lounge or your cabin but splash out on a balcony suite and you’ll have a guaranteed window seat to watch the world go by.

11. It’s your holiday so do as you choose. I like to join the included guided tours to learn about the places I’m visiting, but feel free to go off and explore alone. Just make sure you are back by all-aboard time.

12. Keeping fit is an option! You can hike through the vineyards in Rüdesheim in Germany, go canoeing in Portugal and join guided cycling tours around Vienna and Belgrade. You can even cycle 32km along the Danube between Melk and Durnstein, or borrow a bike and go exploring on your own.

13. River ships can’t get under the bridges if there is too much rain and can’t sail if there is not enough but while it is a nuisance there’s no need to worry, Emerald Waterways’ Cruise Directors are very experienced and tweak the itineraries to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Furthermore, Emerald Waterways offer a comprehensive River Cruise Guarantee in case of itinerary changes caused by unforeseen circumstances.

14. I hate to bring this up (excuse the pun!) but if you’re worried about seasickness, a river cruise definitely has your name on it as the only waves to worry about are gentle ripples created by a passing cargo boat or river ship.

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